By Francis Quamina Farrier
There are quite a number of things of which we as Guyanese, can be proud of. One such
thing is the fact that the most well-known and expensive postage stamp on the planet, was printed right here in Guyana. Well, to be more precise, in British Guiana, way back in 1856. The value of that Postage Stamp is now well in excess of US$9 million.
The British Guiana One Cent Magenta postage stamp was printed right here in Georgetown, British Guiana, at a wooden building on Church Street, immediately east of the National Library. The Printing Press on which it was printed, and which was the property of The Chronicle, has been preserved, and has been on display at the National Museum in downtown Georgetown, for many years.
There are quite a number of avid Stamp Collectors in Guyana and around the World. Two include Queen Elisabeth of Great Britain and Pope Francis, Head of the Roman Catholic
Church. I found that out when on a visit to the United States Postal Museum in Washington, DC., earlier this year. In that massive building, which is just next to the busy Union Station, is a section where images of some of the world’s most well known personalities, who are Stamp Collectors, are displayed.
Only recently, there was a Stamp Exhibition which was held at the National Library at Church and Main Streets in Georgetown, on November 17 and 18, 2016. It was dubbed “GUYPEX 2016 Stamp Exhibition”. That recent Stamp Exhibition, was mounted by The Guyana Philatelic Society, headed by San Diego, California-based, Ann Wood, who is originally from Kitty in Guyana.
This recent Stamp Exhibition here in Guyana, was not the first organized by Ann Wood. In fact she has organized previous Stamp Exhibitions here in Guyana and other countries in the past, as well. Only a few months ago, Ann Wood was at the World Stamp Show in New York City, which was held from May 28 to June 4, 2016. At that Stamp Show, the famous British Guiana One Cent Magenta stamp – the most expensive stamp on the planet – was also included. When I asked Ann Wood what she thought of that popular postage stamp which was printed right here in Guyana, she responded by saying that she was, “Very proud of it, as being part of my heritage.”
That British Guiana Magenta stamp has since been returned to the American Postal Museum in Washington, DC, where it has been on exhibition since April 2015, and will be there during 2017. I have visited that Museum twice since that British Guiana One Cent Magenta Stamp was put on display. My understanding is that Guyanese residing in Washington, DC, and those visiting that United States Capital city, have also gone to see the British Guiana One Cent Magenta Stamp.
While the original and lone One Cent British Guiana Magenta Stamp was not itself on display here in Guyana, and has never been, there were copies of it on display at the recent Exhibition at the National Library. One such copy was even on the tee shirt worn by Ann Wood, while at the Exhibition at the National Library. Postage stamps from countries all around the world, were also on display at that Exhibition; many of them were printed decades ago.
This recent Guyana Stamp Exhibition attracted hundreds of Stamp Collectors and those interested in stamps. Among the many who were at the Exhibition, were hundreds of Students from Schools in Georgetown and beyond. “There was great interest and students realized that stamps can also be part of a history lesson”, according to Ann Wood. The Guyana Post Office Corporation, also commemorated Guyana’s Golden Jubilee Year, 2016, with an array of new stamps, which included those showing the Jubilee Logo, the Guyana National flag, the St. George’s Cathedral, the Kyk-over-Al Arch, various Guyanese flowers and others. The slogan of the Guyana Philatelic Society is, “Collect Stamps.”
The Guyana Philatelic Society also recently held a Beginner’s Workshop, at which Collectors of all ages attended. Some who attended included seasoned Stamp Collectors. An art which is dying, is the correct way in which to address an envelope for posting through the Postal Service. Exactly where a stamp or stamps should be placed on a envelope for posting, was also taught at that Workshop. Postage stamps have been around for many years and will most likely be around for many, many more years to come. Meanwhile, Guyanese can continue to be proud of the British Guiana One Cent Magenta – the most expensive postage stamp on the planet.
